Album review: LEE ABRAHAM – Colours

Lee Abraham was the bassist in prog rockers Galahad between 2005 and 2009, who he has now since re-joined but as their guitarist. He has been busy on the solo front releasing a series of well received albums and as the man himself said on this album, ‘Still very much a prog blueprint, but I have explored more AOR influences on this album with nods to Toto, Asia and FM.’ That sounds good to me!

Lee Abraham handles all the guitars and keyboards, backed by Alistair Begg (bass), Rob Arnold (piano) and Credo’s Gerald Mulligan (drums). On vocals he has a series of guests including Dec Burke (Darwin’s Radio/ex-Frost*), Simon Godfrey (Tinyfish) and Gary Chandler (Jadis).

So far, so prog however the real surprise is getting FM’s Steve Overland to sing on the naturally FM sounding ‘Always Yours’. Steve Overland never disappoints and he delivers another heartfelt vocal on this song. This and ’Warning Sign’ are the two songs on here that are AOR through and through.

‘Find Another Way’ has a hint of Marillion with Robin Armstrong on vocals. Like all the songs on the album the musical arrangements are top notch. Plenty of keys, piano and guitar creating a magical musical mix.

The epic ‘The Mirror Falls’ completes the album in style, featuring Jadis’s Gary Chandler on vocals, along with the sublime piano playing of Rob Arnold. This song will please the prog rockers with its time changes and extended musical breaks. The main melody and chorus though have their feet firmly in melodic rock land.

What a wonderful album, taking prog rock to its most melodic ends and one that will appeal to those who enjoy Asia and FM. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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